Coupling



July 6, 1948. E. J. BAUMGARDNER COUPLING Filed Dec. 12, 1944 i a i- I EZ INVENTOR. -g EARL J fi/ld/VGARDNE/P ATTORNEY Patented July 6, 1948COUPLING" Earl J. Banmgardngn', Marion, Iowa,.assignor to H. A.-Doug1asMfg- 00., Bronson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application'D'ecember12, 1944; Serial No. 567,818 17 Claims. (01. 28517'3) Thisinvention relatesgenerally tocoupling. devices: and'more particularly isdirected to. a'

fitting or plug-device, secured to the :extremity of a conduit, such asthe conduit of-a vacuum cleaner, whereby, the hose may be detachablyconnected to the cleaner.

One important object of the. invention. is to provide a. fitting; whichwill allow the: conduit or hose torotate freely with respect'to thefitting. when the latter isconnected to the cleaner. This arrangementhas proven' desirable because twisting; coilin and kinking of the:conduit is prevented when an accessorysuch as a floor nozzle; connectedto. theopposite. end-of the conduit is being used;

Another object is to" provide a fitting which consists of Very; fewparts which may be' easily and quickly assembled, into av compact; uniton a production! basis.

Ar further object is to provide a fitting which maybe easily and quicklydetachably connected to theclea-ner in a'manner whereby :the air passingthroughthe conduit will not escape through theifittinggz inothenwords, anuninterrupted continuous passage is. provided betweenthecone duit and the interiorofthecleaner.

A) still further object is. to provide. a fitting or plug which mayrotate with respect tothe cleaner and the conduit may rotate withrespect. .totheplug.

Other objects and advantages ofthe: invention will be apparent afterreading the-description hereinafter set forthtinconnectionwith thedrawins. annexed hereto. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows the conduit fitting secured :or

assembled with a vacuumcleaner, with portions of the assembly brokenaway to clearly illustrate thev details of. construction;

Figure .2 is. a transverse section taken throughanappropriate part ofthe coupling for theipurpose of showing additional details ofconstrue.-tion;

Figure 3 is aside view of the coupling Figure -.4 is a modificationofthe-inventionillustrated in: Figures 1 through 3,- which will allowthe plug to rotate-with respect to the-vacuum cleaner as well. as,- withrespect to. the..-con

duit; or hose;- and Figure 5 illustrates another modification--of theinventionwhereby the .plug: or. fittings-may:

rotatewith respect to the housing'including the conduit or hose.-

tingor-plugdetachably. connected. tofth'e end'wall 1 a radial lockingflange I81 2- ofa vacuum cleaner housing3, and l'is'thecon duit orhoserotatably associated with the fitting. The endwall of the vacuum cleanerhousing is provided with a circular opening 5 through? which the fittingis projected. The opening is preferably chamfered at 6 whereby toassist' in piloting-the plug into the opening; A receptacle orsocket lfor the plug is secured to the inner" side of-the end wall by aplurality of screws -8.' The receptacle includes, a cylindrical portion-9 serving as a-bearing or support for apart of theplug, an enlargedannular portion Hi which forms" a space within which portions of thelatches may operate, and: a radially extending flange-[1,. A gasketllzis disposed between the fiangeil and theinner side oi the end-wall ofthe cleanerso 'as' to sealofi and prevent anyair from-being drawninto-the cleaner other than throughthe passage desired. The receptacle 7is also providedw'ith an end wall I3 provided with anaperture 14'. Aresilient washer i5 is disposed in the receptacle 1" and -preferablycemented to the endwall l3'"toserveas a yielolable abutment 'for theinnerendor extremity of the plug. The washer-I5 is pro; vided with anaperture Hi corresponding. to the aperture M.

The conduit is of conventional 'coristructior'il' One-extremity of anelongatedtube 1-1 "is 'firrhlyi'; secured against rotationin'theconduit- 4' and 'it's" other extremity extends beyond the end ofthe" conduit and'provides a fixed mOuntingQrsupport about which theplug. i may rotate. The free end of the tube I7 is preferably "providedwith The plug preferably includes a tubular cylindrical body isconstructed from some desirable material, such as pyroxylin plastic orphenoliccondensate. The body'is provided with a round opening 28 throughwhich the tube ll extends} whereby to rotatablymount the' plug. Theendof the body which first enters the receptacle] of'the'cleaner ispreferably recessed" to rovi e a"shoulder 2!" which is engaged by"ther'adial' flange itofthe tube for holding theplugcon nected to theconduit. The opposite or trailingend of the body is also preferablyrecessed to' pro vide a shoulder 22 which is engaged bytheend" oi theconduit whereby to hold the plug --ag'ain'st' movement'in aniaxialdirection The endiofthe conduitbeingseated in the last-mentioned recess:isuw'ellprotected. and serves to conceal any end whic'h may not havebeencutor severedas' in tended; Also, any frayed'ends' of thefabric coveringon the conduit'are' concealediromiviewr gui es A cup shaped ferrule 23snugly surrounds the body l9 and is detachably connected thereto by thecatch portions 24 of the latches 25, the catch portions 24 projectingthrough square shaped openings 26 provided therefor in the ferrule.Thus, it will be evident that the intervenin space between the tube andferrule is completely filled or taken up by the body 19. The bottom orend wall of the cup shaped ferrule abuts the extreme end of the body andis provided with an aperture 21 corresponding in size to the aperturesl4 and I6 in the receptacle or socket and washer IS. The entrance end ofthe ferrule is preferably tapered to assist ln'piloting the plug intothe chamfered opening 6 of the cleaner and into the receptacle 1. Theferrule is of a length somewhat less than the length of the body l3 andterminates more or less against an exposed enlargement 28 of the bodywhich more or less serves as a handle to assist in connecting anddisconnecting the plug with respect to the cleaner.

The body I9 is further provided with a pair of diametrically disposedlongitudinally extending shallow channels or pockets 29, generallyrectangular in cross section. The end wall 30 of each channel terminatesshort of the entrance end of the plug and its other end 31 terminates inthe enlargement or handle portion 23 of the plug. The bottom wall of thechannel is provided with an upstanding lug 32 spaced from the end wall39 to provide a recess 33. The bottom wall is also provided with a rounddepression 34 adjacent the lug32.

A resilient latch 25 is disposed in each of the channels 29. One end ofeach latch is provided with a laterally bent tongue 35 which is caughtin the recess 33 and its opposite end is provided with a roundedloopportion 35 which projects outwardly with reference to the handle portion28 f the body to provide finger operated latch means. The end of theloop or finger portion 35 and tongue 35 are adapted to more or lessengage the endwalls of the channel so as to prevent longitudinalmovement of the latch in the channel. l A helical spring 31 ispreferably disposed in each of the channels at a desirable location. One

end of each spring is seated in the depression 34- and its opposite endengages the latch at a point intermediate the lateral tongue 35 and thecatch portion 24 toyieldingly press the aligned planar portions 38 and39 on either side of the catch against the inner curved surface of theferrule 23 and thereby predetermine the position of the catch portion 24and the finger portion 36 exteriorly of the general confines of theplug. A small boss 40 is provided on each latch seems to assist inholding the spring 31' in place. The lug 32 also serves to hold thespring in position. The catch portion of each latch includes a camportion 4| and a shoulder portion 42.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 4 a tubular bearing 44 isdisposed in the receptacle or socket of the vacuum cleaner in abuttingrelation.

with a resilient washer. This bearing 44 is yieldably urged against theentrance end of the ferrule of the lug so as to provide a good seal andat the same time allow the plug to rotate in the receptacle as well aswith respect to the conduit or hose 4. In this arrangement when the plugrotates theshoulder portions of the latches will slide against the innerside of the end wall 2 of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, it is evidentthat this construction provides auxiliary means to prevent twisting andkinking of the hose or con- '4 duit when the tool or accessory attachedto the opposite end of the conduit is being used.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 5 the washer i5 is omitted sothat the end wall of a ferrule 45 forming a part of a plug is adapted tobear against the bottom wall of a receptacle or socket 46 to therebyallow the plug or fitting to rotate in the receptacle as well as withrespect to the conduit or hose 4.

In view of the foregoing it will be evident' that to connect the plug tothe cleaner it is merely necessary to grasp either the conduit or plugor both and force the plug into the opening 5 of the cleaner, to causethe cam portions 4| of the catches to b'emoved inwardly as indicated bythe dotted lines'in Figure 1, and when the entrance end of the plugengages and compresses the washer l5, seated in the receptacle 1, thecatch portions will snap outwardly into the space formed by the annularportion Hi of the receptacle so that the shoulder portions 42 will abutthe inner-side or surface of the end wall of the cleanerwhereby todetachably hold the plug in place. So held the conduit and tube H arefree to rotate with respect to the plug and prevent kinking of theconduit. To release the plug it is merely necessary to depress thefinger portions 36 of the latches so that the shoulder portions 42 ofthe latches disengage the inner side of the end wall of the housing andthen pull the plug. Thewasher I5 not only serves as a seal but tendstomore or less throw the plug outwardly when the plug is beingdisconnected. The exposed handle portion 28 of the plug is preferablyflattened at 43 in order to facilitate operating the latches.

It will also be manifest that since the latches are resilient and arespring pressed the latches are sensitive but very positive in action,and ac-- cordingly provide a quick detachable connection. between theconduit fitting and the vacuum cleaner. Moreover, it will be apparentthat if found desirable the Washer 15 may be constructed of somedesirable material which will allow the plu to rotate in the receptacle1 as well as with respect to the conduit 4; or the washer may beeliminated entirely in which event the entrance end of the plug wouldbear against the end wall of the receptacle to allow the plug to rotatein the receptacle as exemplified in Figure 5 of the drawing.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various othermodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements, andcombinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim: i r

1. In a device of the kind described, a conduit, a tube having oneextremity anchored in said conduit and its other extremity extendingfree beyondthe end of said conduit, a stop providedadjacent the free endof said tube, a body rotatably mounted on said tube, said body beingprovided with a recess at one extremity receiving the end of the conduitand a recess at its other extremity receiving thestop of the tubewhereby to hold said body against axial movement with respect to saidtube, a ferrule surrounding said body in a manner whereby the spacebetween said tube and said ferrule is substantially taken up'by saidbody, said body being provided with an exposed handle portion and achannel one end of whichterminates adjacent said handle portion, anaperture provided in said ferrule, latch means disposed in said channelhaving; a catch projecting, through said aperture: and afinger portionprojecting outwardly through. said handle portionfor depressing saidcatch, and resilient means acting on said latch. means for normallyurging. said catch portion, outwardly fromsaid; channel.

2. In a device'of the kind described, a conduit, a, body. rotatablymounted with. respect to said conduit a ferrule surrounding at least apart of said; body and provided with an aperture, and latchmeans carriedby said body projecting through said aperture in a manner whereby saidterrule-isdetachably connected to said body.

,3. In a device of the kind described, a conduit, aitube having oneextremity secured to said conduit, and its other extremity extendingbeyond the end of." the conduit, said last mention-ed extremity of said;tube being provided with a stop, a non-metallic body rotatably mountedon said tube in a manner. whereby said. stop and said conduit preventaxial movement ofv said body, a ferrule surrounding at least a part orsaid body, said ferrule being provided with an aperture and a portionengaging one extremity of said body for limiting axial movement of saidferrule on said body, in one direction, and latch means carried by saiddevice having a portion projecting through the aperture of said ferrulefor holding said ferrule. against movement in an opposite axialdirection.

4. A plug device adapted to be connected to a conduit; said plug deviceincluding an elongated tube, one end of which is adapted to be fittedinto the end of the conduit with its other end extending free beyond theend of the conduit; said tube being provided with a projection adjacentits free end; a non-metallic body rotatably mounted on said tube with aportion thereof adapted to engage said projection for holding the bodyagainst movement in one axial direction, a band surrounding at least a.part of said body, an aperture provided in said band, a recess providedin said body, latch means disposed in said recess having a catch portionprojecting through said aperture and another portion projecting througha portion of the body clear of the band providing means for depressingsaid catch portion, said catch portion functioning to hold said bandassembled with said body.

5. A plug device adapted to be connected to the end of a conduit, saidplug device including a tubular part, a body part rotatably mounted onsaid tubular part, a band carried by said body part, and latch meanscarried by said body part cooperating with said band for detachablyholding said band to said body.

6. A plug device adapted for connection with a conduit, said plug deviceincluding a body part adapted to be rotatably mounted with respect tothe conduit, said body part being provided with a pocket, latch meansmounted in said pocket, a band surrounding at least a part of said bodycooperating with said latch means in a manner whereby to hold said latchmeans substantially in said pocket and said band with respect to saidbody.

7. A plug device adapted to be connected to a conduit, said plug deviceincluding a pair of tubular members, latch means detachably connectingsaid tubular members together, and a tube having one extremity forconnection to the conduit and its other extremity adapted to extendbeyond the end of the conduit to provide a bearing for rotatablymounting said pair of tubular members and holding said tubular mem- 6].;hers, against axial movement. in one. direction with respect to saidtube.

v8. In a device'ofv thev kind described; a conduit, a body rotatably.mounted with respect to said conduit, said body being provided with apair of generally cylindrical portions, one of said portions beingadapted for reception ina.v socket, the other of said portions forming ahandle, latch means carried by the body, said latch means having aportion adapted to hold the device connected to the. receptacle, andanother portion projecting through the. handle portionfor op.- erat-ingthe holding portion.

9. A plug device adapted to. be connected, to the end of a conduit, saidplug device including a tubular part, a one piece body part mounted onsaid tubular part, said body part including apair of portions one ofwhichv is larger in: crosssec-tionthan the other, and latch meanscarried. bythe body having a holding portion projecting outwardly fromthe smaller portion for engagementv with an abutment and a portionseated in and projecting from the larger portion for operating theholding portion. I

10. A coupling comprising, a. vacuum cleaner housing part provided withan. opening, a receptacle, secured to one side of said part in sub.-stantial axial alignment with said opening, a plug device secured to aconduit disposed in said opening, sealing means disposed between saidplug device and said receptacle, and means providing a seal between saidpart and said receptacle whereby to prevent the seepage of airtherebetween or into the receptacle through said opening, and means forholding said plug device in said receptacle in such a manner that aportion of said plug device is adapted to bear against said sealingmeans to prevent the seepage of air between said plug device and saidreceptacle.

11. A plug device adapted to be connected to a conduit, said plug deviceincluding a pair of tubular members, interlocking means providing thesole means for detachably connecting said tubular members together, andatube adapted to be connected to a conduit providing a bearing for saidmembers and means for holding them against axial movement in onedirection with respect to the tube.

12. In a device of the kind described, a conduit, a tube having oneextremity anchored in said conduit and its other extremity free beyondthe end of said conduit, a flange provided adjacent the free end of saidtube, a non-metallic body rotatably mounted on said tube, said bodybeing provided with a recess at one extremity receiving the end of theconduit and a recess at its other extremity receiving the flange of thetube whereby to hold said body against axial movement with respect tosaid tube, a ferrule surrounding said body in a manner whereby the spacebetween said tube and said ferrule is completely taken up by said body,said body being provided with an exposed handle portion and a channelone end of which terminates in said handle portion, an aperture providedin said ferrule, latch means disposed in said channel having a catchprojecting through said aperture and a finger portion projectingoutwardly through said handle portion for depressing said catch, andresilient means acting on said latch means for normally urging saidcatch portion outwardly from said channel.

13. A coupling device comprising, a mounting provided with an opening, areceptacle secured to one side of said mounting, a seal disposed betweensaid receptacle and'said one side of said mounting, a sealing meansdisposed in said receptacle, a plug device carried by the end of aconduit disposed in said opening with oneend of said device bearingagainst said sealing means, and means cooperating with said mounting fordetachably holding said plug device in place.

14. A coupling comprising, a vacuum cleaner housing part provided withan opening, a receptacle secured to one side of said part in substantialaxial alignment with said opening, a plug device secured to a conduitdisposed in said opening, and resilient sealing means disposed betweensaid plug device and said receptacle.

15. A plug device comprising, a tubular one piece body of non-metallicmaterial adapted for entry into the opening of a mounting, said bodyincluding a pair of portions one of which is larger in cross-sectionthan the other, and latch means having a holding portion projectingoutwardly with respect to the smaller portion for securing the device inthe opening and a hand operated portion projecting and movabletransversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the larger portionfor operating the holding portion.

16. In a device of the kind described, a one piece non-metallic bodyprovided with a handle portion provided with an opening, a pocketprovided in said body intersecting said opening, and latch meansdisposed for pivotal movement in Number said pocket having a holdingportion adapted to cooperate with a mounting and a laterally movableportion in the opening for operating the holding portion. 1'7. A plugdevice comprising, a conduit, a cylindrical member secured to saidconduit, a one piece body mounted on said member and having a portionoverlying a portion of said conduit, said body having a portion adaptedto enter the opening of a mounting and a larger portion constituting ahandle, an opening in said handle portion, and latch means having aholding portion projecting outwardly from the entering portion to engagethe mounting for securing the device thereto and an integral portionmovable transversely in the opening provided in said handle portion foroperating the holding portion.

EARL J. BAUMGARDNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Anlauf Mar. 22, 1927 Williams June 18,1935 Lofgren Dec. 21, 1937 Forsberg Mar. 14, 1939 Williams Aug. 6, 1940

